Synopsis

Avoid Being a Mayan Soothsayer by Rupert Matthews

You are the son of a Mayan soothsayer, living near the city of Copan in about AD 710. Becoming a soothsayer yourself means you could become an important man. However, you'd rather stay in your peaceful village being a farmer - get something wrong as a soothsayer and you'll be sacrificed! The humorous cartoon-style illustrations and the narrative approach encourage readers to get emotionally involved with the characters, aiding their understanding of what life would have been like as a Mayan holy man. Informative captions, a complete glossary and an index make this title an ideal introduction to the conventions of non-fiction texts for young readers.